Aggregate Industries champions safety with mandatory two-way helmets

Initially thought to be too cumbersome and impractical, there was resistance to the use of two-way headsets. However, this dramatically changed during a trial, which saw supervisors and banksmen within the southern division of the business issued with the new headsets. The headsets enable communication between everyone onsite. Through use of the helmets, both hauliers and site operatives were able to receive direct and clear instructions via the headsets, as well as vehicle radios.

Following the completion of the six month trial, all of Aggregate Industries’ southern contracting teams supported the use of the two-way communication headset. Not only did the headsets cut out background noise of over 82 decibels, facilitating clear communications at over 10 km distance and removing the requirement to shout at close proximity, they also allowed for immediate responses. Furthermore, hauliers and third party suppliers were able to log in to site-specific channels for instructions. This contributed to the overall smooth running of sites.

“Health and safety is our overarching value within Aggregate Industries,” said Paddy Murphy, Managing Director of Contracting at Aggregate Industries. “As such, we can take site safety very seriously and place importance on our pivotal role in raising safety standards across the industry as a whole. The benefits of these helmets are manifold: they prevent anyone in the team from working in isolation at any time and teams can now raise an immediate alarm should unforeseen circumstances arise.
“In particular for me, the headsets also help to nurture a respectful working environment. A major issue across the industry, especially noted by lorry and sweeper drivers, is having to shout or wave arms to get someone’s attention. Now, they can speak and communicate normally.”

Aggregate Industries is at the frontline of the construction and infrastructure industries producing and supplying an array of construction materials.

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcement.com/europe-cis/15102018/aggregate-industries-champions-safety-with-mandatory-two-way-helmets/